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Chisago Lakes board votes to place $63.71 million facilities bond on May 13 ballot
Summary
The Chisago Lakes School District board unanimously approved a resolution to call a special election May 13 for a $63,710,000 bond to address facility needs identified in a comprehensive study, including large HVAC replacements; the district plans public outreach beginning in February.
The Chisago Lakes School District board voted to call a special election May 13 to ask voters to approve up to $63,710,000 in general obligation school building bonds to address long‑term facility needs.
Superintendent Deats said the figure comes from a comprehensive facilities process and a nine‑month study by Nexus Solutions. "The final number in all of this is $63,710,000," Deats said, adding that the package is intended to address projects projected over 15 to 40 years. He gave an example of high unit costs: "An air handler unit ... Each one of those costs $500,000."
The board resolution authorizes the district to issue the bonds and places the question on the May 13 ballot. Deats said the district submitted the project for Department of Education review and comment; that review will run for 90 days and the final draft will be posted on the district website under the election page. The district plans to begin a public information campaign in February, with an intended start of Feb. 1, and staff said they will share details about proposed projects and funding on the bond website and at community events.
Board members who spoke during the motion emphasized the amount of staff and community work that preceded the vote. One board member noted that district staff, consultants and volunteers had spent hundreds of hours developing and reviewing the proposal; the meeting record specifically recognized "hours and hours" of work by Brian Dietz, Robin (last name not specified in the record), and others.
The board approved the resolution by roll call with the record showing the following members voting yes: Jen, Jeff, Rory, Sarah, Josh and Brian. The motion passed and the board adjourned.
What the bond would pay for: the board and staff described the package as a facilities improvement plan based on Nexus Solutions' facility study and community input; the superintendent cited building systems (heating, ventilation and other major components) as examples of items in the proposal. The presentation and the superintendent's remarks said the plan aims to address the district's highest‑priority needs for the next several decades; the meeting did not contain a line‑item project list in the public record beyond that summary, but the district said the final draft will be posted on its website.
Next steps: Administration will post the finalized project information and timeline on the district website, pursue the Department of Education review steps already submitted, and begin a public information campaign in February ahead of the May 13 special election.
